Caban Coch Dam – Elan Valley Visitor Centre loop from Elan Village

Hiking trails & Routes

Caban Coch Dam – Elan Valley Visitor Centre loop from Elan Village

Moderate

4.8

(41)

235

hikers

Caban Coch Dam – Elan Valley Visitor Centre loop from Elan Village

02:08

7.00km

240m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Elenydd SSSI

Waypoints

Start point

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1.92 km

Trail With Views of Craig Goch Reservoir and Bridge

Highlight • Lake

Good path, but steep drop down from the forest track to the bridge and chapel on the lakeside road. Great views on a sunny day.

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2.29 km

Nant-y-Gro Dam Ruins

Highlight • Viewpoint

Destroyed during the famous Dambusters experiments in World War II that led to the creation of the ‘bouncing bomb’, the remains of the Nant-y-Gro dam are well worth the walk. There are also great views of the Caban Coch Reservoir.

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2.75 km

Steep Narrow Rock Chute with Drop-Off and Slippery Roots

Highlight • Climb

well worth the climb back up, fast tricky descent ,with stone slabs , loose rock and exposed roots to navigate, watch the barb wire fence to the left, can continue back to the dam bridge also

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3.25 km

Picnic Area at Craig Goch Dam

Highlight • Viewpoint

Head across the dam bridge and up the stairs on the far side. What an amazing picnic area and no one is using it !!!

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3.49 km

Caban Coch Dam

Highlight • Natural Monument

The lowest of the dams in the sequence of four built in the valley of the Elan River is Caban Coch Dam. It is the simplest and most functional in …

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3.79 km

Radnorshire Millennium Stones

Highlight • Historical Site

Cool little art installation with Rocks with Welsh places on. Modern Stones Gallery. A large feature at the Elan Valley visitor centre in central Powys, west from Rhayader is this …

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3.91 km

Craig Goch Dam

Highlight • Structure

The Elan Valley Visitor Centre is operated by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and is set in a fantastic location against a spectacular backdrop of a Victorian stone dam.

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3.93 km

Elan Valley Visitor Centre

Highlight • Monument

Visitor Centre below Caban Coch Dam is a good place to learn about the remarkable building of the dams and the alternative ways to explore

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7.00 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.85 km

1.52 km

599 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

1.93 km

1.42 km

1.38 km

926 m

909 m

449 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (410 m)

Lowest point (210 m)

Weather

Friday 16 October

11°C

3°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

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Comments

June 2, 2022,3. Craig Cnwch

Loved the hike but it was far from an easy (as described) hike with uneven loose stone and a lot of steps .

August 20, 2024,loop from the Elan Valley visitor Centre

Another stunning area..
This is a walk from the visitors centre, after this we drove around the rest of the Elan Valley, stopping at any opportunity to take in the wonderful views, there are walks all around the valley and we hope to complete more of them in the future